The rising temperatures during the summer make it a perfect time to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family. Keep these safety tips in mind to ensure a safe and healthy summer!
Survive the Summer Heat
Summer heat can be more than uncomfortable – it can be a threat to your health, especially for older adults and children. Whatever your age, don’t let the summer heat get the best of you.
- If possible, stay inside during the heat of the day. Do errands and outside chores early in the morning or the evening.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Dress for the weather. When outside, wear a well-ventilated hat and lightweight clothing made of natural fabrics.
- Eat light. Replace heavy, hot meals with lighter, refreshing foods.
Outdoor Exercise
Ready to move your exercise routine outdoors? As the temperature climbs, so does your risk of suffering from a heat-related illness. Stay safe while exercising outside this summer with these tips:
- Avoid exercise between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., the hottest period of the day.
- Apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen that has at least 30 SPF.
- Dress properly for the weather. Wear a hat and sunglasses to reduce exposure to the sun.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water before, during, and after your workout.
- Be aware of the symptoms of heat-related illnesses and take immediate precautions if you begin to feel faint, dizzy, or nauseated; are sweating heavily; or are experiencing a weak or rapid heartbeat.
Stay Hydrated
Exposure to the sun makes it easy to get dehydrated. Here are some ways to keep your body hydrated and cool:
- The best defense against dehydration is prevention. As a general guideline, aim for at least 64 ounces of water per day.
- Make a conscious effort to stay hydrated, and continue drinking even if you don’t feel thirsty. In hot weather, skip coffee or soda, and make water your beverage of choice.
- During periods of heavy exertion, take frequent water breaks. To stay healthy and alert, adjust your intake to match your activity level and working conditions.
- Many times, the thirst mechanism is so weak it is mistaken for hunger. Be sure to keep drinking water, even if it feels like you want a snack instead.
Sunscreen Tips
The warm summer sunshine can be tempting after a cold or overcast winter, but exposure to the sun’s rays can cause permanent skin damage in just 10 minutes. Sunscreen is crucial to protect your skin against dangerous UVA and UVB light, which could otherwise cause skin cancer, premature aging, and exacerbate other skin conditions.
- Use broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher when going outside, even on cloudy days.
- Put sunscreen on all areas of exposed skin.
- Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside.
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours.
- Reapply sunscreen after sweating or swimming, even if your sunscreen is waterproof.
- Sunscreen is essential to protect against skin damage from sun exposure, but it’s not 100% effective. Wear sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats, and seek shade whenever possible to prevent skin damage.
Fireworks
Fireworks are a staple of many summer celebrations, but take the proper precautions to ensure your special event is safe and accident-free. When using fireworks, decide in advance who will launch them and what safety precautions you will have in place. Here are some suggestions to avoid accidents and ensure everyone’s safety.
- Wear safety goggles when handling or shooting off fireworks.
- Never give sparklers to young children.
- Don’t carry fireworks in your pocket or shoot them from metal or glass containers.
- Use fireworks and sparklers outdoors only.
- Never try to relight a dud (a firework that didn’t properly ignite).
- Always have a hose or water bucket handy.
- Soak all firework debris in water before throwing it away.
Swimming Pool Safety
Though owning a pool can allow you, your family, and your friends to cool off in the summer heat, it also comes with serious responsibilities. Consider these precautions to make sure your friends and family enjoy your pool safely.
- Install a fence with self-locking and self-closing gates to completely isolate your pool from your house and the areas around it.
- Do not leave your children or guests alone in the pool or pool area.
- Take lifeguard, CPR, and first-aid courses in case anyone needs assistance while on your property. Once old enough, your children should receive this same training.
- Enroll your children in swimming classes led by a qualified swim instructor.
- Keep rescue equipment and a cell phone close to the pool area so you can call 911.
- When hosting a pool party, it’s wise to assign several adults to the job of “lifeguard” for all swimmers. These individuals shouldn’t drink alcohol and should stay on constant alert for swimmers in distress. That way, you can ensure a quick response in the event of an emergency.
Have a safe and enjoyable summer with all the great things that make this time of year special and memorable!
